Ergonomic post with integral anchor

ABSTRACT

An ergonomic post with an integral anchor could include a housing having a top and a base. A screw could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the base. The screw could have a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip. A head could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the top of the housing, for removably coupling the post to a rotational driving means.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/233,096, filed on 11 Aug., 2009, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to posts. More particularly, this disclosure relates to an ergonomic post with an integral anchor.

BACKGROUND

Posts have been used for many years, and in many variations, for supporting objects such as realty signs, mailboxes, and light fixtures to name but a few. Posts, and post-like devices such as stakes, have also been used through the years for secure placement of an object in a particular location; examples include animal tie-outs and tent stakes.

Known posts and post-like devices, however, may present several disadvantages. Posts embodied in or as traditional crossarm or crossbeam realty signs, for example, may be bulky, heavy, cumbersome, and generally difficult to securely place in, and remove from, a desired surface. Such a traditional sign often requires first digging a hole in the surface (a “post hole”), then lifting the sign and placing it into the hole, and then back-filling the hole. When the sign is to be removed, substantial digging and lifting are often required. These traditional post placement and removal steps may be difficult and laborious; and persons having a physical limitation such as a lack of strength or dexterity may find it nearly impossible to successfully do it themselves. Indeed, realtors often pay independent contractors to perform such challenging manual labor.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes novel posts with integral anchors for supporting objects. This disclosure also describes ergonomic features and uses of novel posts with integral anchors.

In one aspect, an ergonomic post with an integral anchor could include a housing having a top and a base. A screw could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the base. The screw could have a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip. A head could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the top of the housing, for removably coupling the post to a rotational driving means.

In another aspect, an ergonomic post with an integral anchor could include a housing having a top and a base. A screw could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the base. The screw could have a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip. A head could be rigidly coupled to and protrude from the top of said housing, for removably coupling said post to a rotational driving means. A hole could be provided in the base, and a secondary screw could be removably and rotatably located through the hole in the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor.

FIG. 1A is a representation of an assembly of components of the ergonomic post with an integral anchor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a representation of a further assembly of components of the ergonomic post with an integral anchor shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the ergonomic post with an integral anchor shown in FIG. 1, in combination with an embodiment of a realty sign.

FIG. 2A is a magnified illustration of a component of the realty sign shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2B is a bottom side illustration of a component of the realty sign shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the ergonomic post with an integral anchor shown in FIG. 1, in combination with one embodiment of a light fixture.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of another embodiment of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor includes a housing having a top, a plurality of sides, and a base. A screw, having a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip, protrudes from the base of the housing. A head, for coupling the housing and the screw with a rotational driving means, protrudes from the top of the housing. The post, as will be described, may thus be rotationally driven by the driving means to readily and ergonomically drive the post into a surface or, thereafter, remove the post from the surface.

With particular reference to FIG. 1, an example of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor (post 10) includes a substantially hollow housing 100 comprising a top 110, a plurality of sides 120, and a base 130. A screw 140 having a shaft 144, a plurality of helical grooves 146, and a tip 148, is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from base 130 of housing 100. A head 142, for coupling post 10 with a rotational driving means (not illustrated), is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from top 110 of housing 100. Head 142, as will be further described, is configured and positioned on housing 100 to be capable of being rotationally driven by the driving means to thus readily and ergonomically (i) drive post 10 into a surface or, thereafter, (ii) remove post 10 from the surface. As will also be further described, a pair of holes 122 and 124 may be provided through selected opposing ones of the plurality of sides 120 for placement of a removable locking pin P through housing 100.

In one embodiment, components of post 10 could be fabricated from a suitable metal material such as steel. With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment housing 100 could be cut from hollow, rectangular 14- or 16-gauge steel stock having a width of 1.75 inches, into a length in a range of about 7.0 inches to 8.0 inches. Top 110 could be cut from ⅛ inch steel plate stock to correspond to the width dimensions of housing 100, and then welded thereto. In another embodiment, housing 100 could be fabricated from 14-gauge cold-rolled steel stock into angle iron segments which could then be welded together along their respective edges to form a desired shape of the housing. One end of the steel stock of housing 100 could then be folded or bent downwardly and then welded shut, thus forming top 110. Head 142 could be a hexagonal steel head for a 15/16 inch socket, which could have a height in a range of about 0.75 inch to 1.0 inch, and be welded to a center of top 110. Base 130 could be cut from ⅛ inch steel plate stock to a range of about 3.0 square inches to 3.5 square inches. In another embodiment, base 130 could be fabricated from 11-gauge cold-rolled steel stock. A center point of base 130 could be located and a hole H could be drilled therethrough to accommodate screw 140. Screw 140 could be a 16 inch by ⅝ inch hexagonal head steel lag screw. Screw 140 could be placed through hole H in base 130 so that the head of screw 140 abuts but does not pass through base 130. The head of screw 140 could then be welded to base 130. Base 130 could then be welded to housing 100 so that housing 100 is centered on base 130 and screw 140. Also, housing 100 could be drilled, through opposing faces thereof, to create holes 122 (not illustrated in FIGS. 1A-B) and 124 which could thereby permit pin P to be securely and removably placed therethrough.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 2A, and 2B, an example of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor is shown in combination with components of a realty sign 20. An upright section 200 has a pair of holes 202 and 204, which are configured to correspondingly align with holes 122 and 124 through post 10 when upright section 200 is removably joined with post 10 by way of pin P. A coupling member 210 projects outwardly from a top 208 of upright section 200, and includes a pair of holes 212 and 214 therethrough. A crossbeam section 220 has a pair of holes 222 and 224, which are configured to correspondingly align with holes 212 and 214 through coupling member 210 when crossbeam section 220 is removably joined with upright section 200 by way of pin P′. With particular reference to FIG. 2B, crossbeam section 220 includes a channel 230 to permit a pair of spring-loaded hangers 240 to be slidingly repositionable therewithin under a frictional fit therewith to accommodate the display of informational panels I of various lengths. Although FIGS. 2 and 2B illustrate a sign 20 having a combination of a channel 230 with sliding hangers 240, it is to be appreciated and understood that in another embodiment sign 20 could employ, for example, a ferrous metallic crossbeam section 220 that would be capable of securely carrying removable magnetic hangers thereon for displaying an informational panel. Thus, in such a magnetic embodiment, channel 230 could be omitted from crossbeam section 220. In other embodiments, section 220 could employ both channel 230 and magnetic features.

In one embodiment, components of sign 20 could be fabricated from a suitable metal material such as aluminum or steel, or from a plastic material, or from various combinations of metals, alloys, and plastics. Thus, in one embodiment, upright section 200 could be cut from hollow, rectangular 14- or 16-gauge steel stock having a width of 2.00 inches, into a length of 53.0 inches. Coupling member 210 could be cut from hollow, rectangular 14- or 16-gauge steel stock having a width of 1.75 inches, and then plug welded to section 200. In another embodiment, coupling member 210 could be fabricated from 14-gauge cold-rolled steel stock into angle iron segments which could then be welded together along their respective edges to form a desired shape of the coupling member. Crossbeam section 220 could be fabricated by cutting hollow, rectangular 14- or 16-gauge steel stock having a width of 2.00 inches, into lengths of 46 inches, 9 inches, and 5 inches, whereupon the 9-inch and 5-inch lengths could then be welded to the 46-inch length on opposite sides thereof to result in the vertical and horizontal portions and overall configuration of crossbeam section 220 as illustrated. Channel 230 could be provided by cutting a 0.25 inch slot along the horizontal portion of crossbeam section 220 (as shown in FIG. 2B). A pair of 3/16 inch by 1.50 inch spring-loaded eye bolts could serve as hangers 240.

In use with post 10, sign 20 could be assembled and placed in a desired location by coupling a rotational driving means (e.g., in one instance, a battery-powered device, such as a “cordless” drill/driver, that is fitted with a 15/16 inch socket) to head 142 of post 10. Tip 148 of screw 140 could then be placed against the surface where post 10 is to be installed. The drill/driver could be powered on to rotate the socket and head 142 coupled thereto, thereby also rotating post 10 since head 142 is rigidly coupled to housing 100. The drill/driver could be used to continue to rotate post 10, with screw 140 thus advancing into the surface, until base 130 firmly contacts the surface upon which post 10 is being installed. Upright section 200 of sign 20 could then be placed over housing 100 and secured with pin P through corresponding holes 202 and 122, and 124 and 204, in upright section 200 and post 10 accordingly. Crossbeam section 220 could then be placed over coupling member 210 and secured with pin P′ through corresponding holes 222 and 212, and 214 and 224, in crossbeam section 220 and coupling member 210 accordingly. Informational panel I could then be displayed from hangers 240 that could be slidingly repositionable in channel 230 of crossbeam section 220.

Although not illustrated, it is to be appreciated and understood that any number of accessories may be employed with sign 20, such as brochure boxes, rider signs, and the like, alone or in various numbers and combinations with each other. Such accessories, like panel I, could also be removably attached to sign 20 via magnets. As aforementioned, in other embodiments section 220 could employ both channel 230 and magnetic features.

Irrespective of a particular embodiment, it is to be appreciated that sign 20 may be easily assembled and disassembled for relatively compact storage and transportation.

With reference to FIG. 3 and continued reference to FIG. 1, an example of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor is shown in combination with components of a light fixture 30. A base section 300 in fixture 30 has a pair of holes 302 and 304, which are configured to correspondingly align with holes 122 and 124 through post 10 when base section 300 is removably joined with post 10 by way of pin P. In this example of a light fixture, a solar-powered light assembly 310 is carried on base section 300 of fixture 30 and securely joined thereto (by, e.g., welding or otherwise rigidly bonding assembly 310 to section 300).

In use with post 10, light fixture 30 could be assembled and placed in a desired location by coupling a rotational driving means (e.g., the aforementioned cordless drill/driver that is fitted with a 15/16 inch socket) to head 142 of post 10. Tip 148 of screw 140 could then be placed against the surface where post 10 is to be installed. The drill/driver could be powered on to rotate the socket and head 142 coupled thereto, thereby also rotating post 10 since head 142 is securely coupled to housing 100. The drill/driver could be used to continue to rotate post 10, with screw 140 thus advancing into the surface, until base 130 firmly contacts the surface upon which post 10 is being installed. Base section 300 of light fixture 30 could then be placed over housing 100 and secured with pin P through corresponding holes 302 and 122, and 124 and 304, in base section 300 and post 10 accordingly.

With reference to FIG. 4, an example of another embodiment of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor (post 40) includes a substantially hollow housing 400 comprising a top 410, a plurality of sides 420, and a base 430. A screw 440 having a shaft 444, a plurality of helical grooves 446, and a tip 448, is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from base 430 of housing 400. A head 442, for coupling post 40 with a rotational driving means (not illustrated), is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from top 410 of housing 400. Head 442 is configured and positioned on housing 400 to be capable of being rotationally driven by the driving means to thus readily and ergonomically (i) drive post 40 into a surface or, thereafter, (ii) remove post 40 from the surface. A pair of holes 422 and 424 may be provided through selected opposing ones of the plurality of sides 420 for placement of a removable locking pin P through housing 400. Additionally, a hole 450 is provided through base 430, to accommodate a secondary screw 460 that rotatably resides therein. As will be described, secondary screw 460 inhibits post 40 from turning about screw 440 (e.g., when supporting a realty sign in a strong wind).

Similarly to post 10, in one embodiment components of post 40 could be fabricated from a suitable metal material such as steel. In one embodiment, housing 400 could be cut from hollow, rectangular 14- or 16-gauge steel stock having a width of 1.75 inches, into a length in a range of about 7.0 inches to 8.0 inches. Top 410 could be cut from ⅛ inch steel plate stock to correspond to the width dimensions of housing 400, and then welded thereto. In another embodiment, housing 400 could be fabricated from 14-gauge cold-rolled steel stock into angle iron segments which could then be welded together along their respective edges to form a desired shape of the housing. One end of the steel stock of housing 400 could then be folded or bent downwardly and then welded shut, thus forming top 410. Head 442 could be a hexagonal steel head for a 15/16 inch socket, having a height in a range of about 0.75 inch to 1.0 inch, which could then be welded to a center of top 410. Base 430 could be cut from ⅛ inch steel plate stock to a width in a range of about 3.0 inches to 3.5 inches, and a length of 4.5 inches. In another embodiment, base 430 could be fabricated from 11-gauge cold-rolled steel stock. A center of a 3.5 square inch portion of base 430 could then be located and a hole (not illustrated) could be drilled therethrough to accommodate screw 440. Screw 440 could be a 16 inch by ⅝ inch hexagonal head steel lag screw. Screw 440 could then be placed through the hole in base 430 so that the head of screw 440 abuts but does not pass through base 430. The head of screw 440 could then be welded to base 430. Base 430 could then be welded to housing 400 so that housing 400 is centered on screw 440. Also, housing 400 could be drilled, through opposing faces thereof, to create holes 422 and 424 which could thereby permit ⅜ inch pin P to be securely and removably placed therethrough. Base 430 could also be drilled to create hole 450. A secondary ⅝ inch by 7.0 inch hexagonal head lag screw 460 could be provided to rotate within hole 450 through base 430.

Although not illustrated, it is to be appreciated and understood that in use with post 40, sign 20 could be assembled and placed in a desired location by coupling a rotational driving means (e.g., in one instance, the aforementioned cordless drill/driver that is fitted with a 15/16 inch socket) to head 442 of post 40. Tip 448 of screw 440 could then be placed against the surface where post 40 is to be installed. The drill/driver could be powered on to rotate the socket and head 442 coupled thereto (thereby also rotating post 40 since head 442 is welded to housing 400), advancing screw 440 into the surface until base 430 firmly contacts the surface upon which post 40 is being installed. Secondary screw 460 could then be inserted through hole 450 in base 430, and screwed into the surface (by way of, for example, the same cordless drill/driver) to inhibit sign 20 from turning about screw 440 as could otherwise occur in, e.g., a strong wind. Upright section 200 of sign 20 could then be placed over housing 400 and secured with pin P through corresponding holes 202 and 422, and 424 and 204, in upright section 200 and post 40 accordingly. Crossbeam section 220 could then be placed over coupling member 210 and secured with pin P′ through corresponding holes 222 and 212, and 214 and 224, in crossbeam section 220 and coupling member 210 accordingly. Informational panel I could then be displayed from hangers 240 that are slidingly repositionable in channel 230 of crossbeam section 220.

It is to be appreciated and understood that although pins P and P′ are shown in the drawings in embodiments of so-called “cotterless” clevis pins, it is to be appreciated that any suitable pins or pin-like coupling objects may be utilized as desired in a particular embodiment.

It is also to be appreciated and understood that aforedescribed individual components of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor, along with any object to be supported thereon such as a realty sign, a temporary sign, a fence post, a bird feeder, a light fixture, etc., could have any desired geometries or cross-sectional profiles (e.g., cylindrical, elliptical, triangular, hexagonal, etc.). Thus, for example, housing 100 or 400 could have a cylindrical or elliptical geometry or cross-sectional profile.

It is additionally to be appreciated and understood that aforedescribed individual components of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor, along with any object to be supported thereon such as a realty sign, etc., could be hollow or solid—provided that each component is capable of functioning satisfactorily with the other components. For example, if housing 100 or 400 was solid, then holes 122 or 422, and 124 or 424, would need to be replaced by one continuous hole or bore through housing 100 or 400.

It is further to be appreciated and understood that, although not illustrated, the aforementioned holes (e.g., 122 or 422) in the housing (e.g., 100 or 400) could be replaced by, simply, a single hole in the housing such that the aforementioned removable locking pin would not reside entirely throughout the housing. For example, the single hole in the housing could accommodate the placement therein of a removable fastener such as, e.g., a screw or a bolt, which could function to securely join the components together when assembled. The removable fastener could substitute for the removable locking pin; and the hole and the fastener could each be correspondingly threaded for additional security of the components when they are so assembled.

It is also to be appreciated and understood that, although not illustrated, a single hole or a plurality of holes (e.g., 122 or 422) could be entirely omitted from and not provided in the housing (e.g., 100 or 400). In such an embodiment, the housing and a component (e.g., 200 or 300) could be dimensioned with respect to each other to simply have a friction fit when assembled for securely joining them as an alternative to, e.g., use of a locking pin or fastener.

It is to be yet further appreciated and understood that screw 140 or 440 could be provided, for example, as a traditional and complete lag screw having a head, a shaft, helical grooves, and a tip, by way of (i) holes in top 110 or 410 and base 130 or 430 for a hollow housing 100 or 400, respectively, or (ii) a continuous bore through top 110 or 410, housing 100 or 400, and base 130 or 430 for a solid housing 100 or 400.

It is additionally to be appreciated and understood that the head (e.g., 142 or 442) on the housing (e.g., 100 or 400) could have any desired geometry and dimensions. Such geometries and dimensions would simply depend upon, accordingly, capabilities of various desired rotational driving means to be adequately coupled to the head for rotationally driving the post (e.g., 10 or 40) into a surface or, thereafter, removing the post from the surface as aforedescribed.

In general, an ergonomic post with an integral anchor could be utilized indoors or outdoors, largely depending upon characteristics of screw 140 or 440. For example, if the screw had characteristics of a masonry screw, then it could be secured in an indoor environment such as into a concrete floor.

Generally also, it is to be appreciated that the integral anchor posts shown herein, along with their equivalents that have not been illustrated, may be deemed to be ergonomic in that, for example, they may be readily, easily, and efficiently secured in and removed from a surface via an easy-to-use and customary driving means such as a cordless drill/driver with a socket in place of a drill bit. Furthermore, objects to be supported on these integral anchor posts may also be ergonomic (e.g., the realty sign embodiment as shown in FIG. 2). These posts and objects, unlike known devices, may be relatively easy to manipulate, lift, and operate.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the accompanying figures and specification, it will be understood however that other modifications thereto are of course possible; and all of which are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

It should be appreciated that components, dimensions, fabrication processes, and other particulars and parameters of aforedescribed example embodiments may be substituted for others as desired, or that accessories may be added thereto.

It is also to be understood in general that any suitable alternatives may be employed to provide an ergonomic post with an integral anchor.

Lastly, compositions, sizes, and strengths of various aforementioned components of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor are all a matter of design choice depending upon intended uses thereof.

Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and detail of an ergonomic post with an integral anchor may also be made therein, again without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. An ergonomic post with an integral anchor, comprising: a housing having a top and a base; a screw that is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from said base, having a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip; and a head that is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from said top of said housing, for removably coupling said post to a rotational driving means.
 2. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 1, further comprising at least one hole in said housing, for placement of a removable locking pin therein.
 3. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 2, wherein a removable fastener is substituted for said removable locking pin.
 4. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 1, further comprising a realty sign that is removably secured to said housing.
 5. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 1, further comprising a light fixture that is removably secured to said housing.
 6. An ergonomic post with an integral anchor, comprising: a housing having a top and a base; a screw that is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from said base, having a shaft with helical grooves that terminates in a tip; a head that is rigidly coupled to and protrudes from said top of said housing, for removably coupling said post to a rotational driving means; and a hole in said base and a secondary screw that is removably and rotatably located through said hole in said base.
 7. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 6, further comprising at least one hole in said housing, for placement of a removable locking pin therein.
 8. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 7, wherein a removable fastener is substituted for said removable locking pin.
 9. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 6, further comprising a realty sign that is removably secured to said housing.
 10. The ergonomic post with an integral anchor of claim 6, further comprising a light fixture that is removably secured to said housing. 